Christmas isn’t just a time for gift giving, family and food, it’s also one of the best times for radio! Holiday music, Old Time Radio and traditional tales will fill a room with Christmas cheer quicker than the smell of fresh baked cookies. I can’t think of a better way to spend time with my family then turning off the TV and tuning in the radio, while enjoying my favorite hot drink by the fire.

Old Saint Nick even plays an important role in radio. Without radio waves and satellites, we may not be able to track Santa Claus!

Many volunteers spend their precious time to track Santa through satellites. For over 50 years, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) has tracked Santa’s flight and made it public. It all started in 1955; Sears Roebuck & Co misprinted an advertisement for the telephone number to phone Santa Claus. Instead of reaching Mr. Claus, the number went to CONAD (Continental Air Defense Command). The Director of Operations sent his staff to check the satellite radar for signs of Santa making his way south of the North Pole. Kids who called were given updates on his location, and so the tradition was born. Three years later, the US and Canada created the Bi-National Air Defense Command for North America (NORAD) to track Santa. The satellites sense heat. Rudolph’s nose gives off that same heat sense, so the satellites detect Rudolph’s bright red nose with no problem. Check out Santa’s tracker for yourself.

Santa Claus almost always makes a radio appearance during the holidays by taking calls from children, live on air. He takes last minute gift requests and can tell who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. This year WXAV Radio out of Chicago will host Santa’s phone call. People call in with their kids or grandkids to WXAV 88.3 FM December 23rd from 6-8 pm central time to talk with Santa himself. You can listen to those special callers and Jolly Saint Nick himself through their live stream.

Radio plays an important role year round and here at C. Crane we’d like to think we have a hand with that too, even if it means making the actual radios. The C. Crane Family would like to wish everyone a very joyous and safe Merry Christmas!

If you have a radio related Christmas story or Santa sighting please share it in a comment below.